Biography

Vivien Li is a nationally recognized waterfront expert, most recently serving as the President and CEO of Riverlife, where she worked with riverfront property owners to ensure public access, public open spaces, and riverfront amenities for Pittsburgh’s public to enjoy. She was key in securing unanimous city council support for the first-ever interim planning overlay district for riverfront re-development.

Full Biography

Vivien Li Hon. BSA
Past President, The Boston Harbor Association
Women in Design Award of Excellence, 2015 winner

Image courtesy: www.bostonseaport.xyz

With the clean up of Boston Harbor, there has been renewed interest by the public to enjoy and have access to the waterfront. For more than two decades at The Boston Harbor Association, we promoted the creation of more than 80% of what will eventually be a 47-mile HarborWalk public access network in Boston’s six waterfront neighborhoods. Public amenities along the HarborWalk include public parks, seating areas, ADA-accessible walkways and boat docks, interpretive signage, public art, restrooms, ground floor retail, and free-of-charge binoculars.

More recently, we worked with project proponents outside of Boston to expand access to the water’s edge. Completed by Encore Boston Harbor in 2019 following significant site remediation, local residents for the first time ever can now enjoy this segment along the Mystic River. Elevated to take into account climate resilience, the HarborWalk also allows views of the living shoreline and the return of flora and fauna.

As a young environmental activist, I was part of a coalition opposed to casinos in Atlantic City because of potential impacts to a national wildlife refuge. Never did I imagine someday partnering with the industry to foster public access!

Vivien Li Hon. BSA (2015)

Biography